Accra to Lagos: An investigative story of driving through West Africa's borders

IFN TV's Ndume Green takes the onerous task of driving from the Ghanaian capital Accra to Nigeria's commercial city of Lagos to find out what drivers go through daily across West Africa's borders.

[@timrose47gmail31]

I used to do that journey every year. Lagos to Benin border..,50 miles of hell. Benin to Accra no problem.

[@abelosei420]

Could you elaborate ?

[@nanaacheampong273]

Ghana is the best place to live and do business in west Africa. You are Welcome to Ghana.

[@Luxebarbie]

i'm from Ghana and this is so enlightening

[@wateromiproduction3898]

Thank you for doing this. We need more documentaries like this. We need to trade in a smooth way. We need to get qualified and responsible people at our boarders who are corruption free.

[@thebridge5483]

A Fet yes more exposure to bring international attention to these type of issues

[@jessegianni3236]

i know im asking randomly but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I somehow lost the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@Bio54633]

The corruption in Nigeria is appalling and is even seeping into Benin. Once I was crossing this border into Nigeria returning from Cotonou at Seme and they said I have to pay before I cross, even attempting to seize my passport. I was outraged. I bluntly refused to pay anything, insisting that I could never pay to enter my own country while travelling on a public highway. I made a scene and embarrassed them and they were forced to let me through, perhaps because they thought I was ruining their business. It was very upsetting for me.

[@tuforu4]

WHY DO MORE NOT OBJECT, ARE THE PEOPLE SHEEP IN WEST AFRICA..

[@MalamIbnMalam]

I will make this journey one of these days Insha'Allah

[@234SuperSimi]

I can't understand how you can do any investigation with a big press sign on your car and a press ID card easing your way... Aren't you investigating extortion?

[@CapitalTvNigeria]

It depends on your perspective of the story. Now that was deliberate on our part. It is to show you that our system is so ruthless that it fears nothing; so much so that even with a PRESS tag clearly written on our car they to test their consciousness to law, it still did not deter us from being exploited.

[@tanwaliser]

IFN TELEVISION It's just that you stated clearly that your press pass eased your way at one of the borders.....

[@tanwaliser]

However, they might have been more aggressive about photography equipment if you weren't press.

[@CapitalTvNigeria]

All photography equipment were hidden. Video was done with secret cameras; So that we traveled as just normal travelers to do the job

[@nAarp]

234SuperSimi no

[@tebogo568]

ghana was a smooth ride

[@marshalusamarshall482]

Ghana immigration is worst..they ask you to pay in dollars

[@shenkexshenkes8592]

Go buy car for Ghana na dollars u go hear..lol..even some houses way u won rent u go hear dollars..lol ..Dalex in their voice..lol

[@benita5912]

@@shenkexshenkes8592 but that’s because their country excepts dollars and obviously their Cedis, I don’t think it’s them trying to scam or cheat it’s just how they do there things

[@shenkexshenkes8592]

@@benita5912 its not scam..its greed..they want more money, and they dont know its effecting the rise of cedis

[@grabkem]

Good story. It would be interesting to see the shots of good experiences too, I.e the smooth passes you described at Ghana e.t.c

[@Thoth_Osas]

lol

[@jsbedi60]

Brings back memories of the time when I drove with my parents and siblings from Lagos to Accra ....................... back in the 1970s when we lived in Ikoyi Lagos

[@nancyokosi1]

Wowwww

[@jsbedi60]

@@nancyokosi1 Madaam, I do remember we literally spent more time on the border crossing than on the highway. And this is despite being " foreigners " we supposedly got off sooner. But nobody asked for. " dash ". Its just that the process was very slow and disorganized. Worst of all was border at Benin Togo ......Francophone countries. Benin Nigeria and Togo Ghana was still better because people spoke English. And Ghanaians were very welcoming of us Nigerians. It seemed Togo and Benin resented us. That my observation as a teenager back in the 1970s.

[@linzierogers6227]

In societies with large pockets of poverty the poor use whatever means they can to survive. In the west this is seen as corruption in the form of extortion. Among the poor it is seen as just a way to exist. The leadership of the country could play a major role in lessening this practice but many times it itself is corrupt.

[@CapitalTvNigeria]

Brilliant submission

[@Omega1st]

Linzie Rogers Poverty is a cycle and if you start with dishonesty it will end with dishonesty, Start with greed it will end with greed and all who participate will feeds the cycle of poverty.

[@Omega1st]

james shaft People in Africa have learned the corrupt ways of the West and have forgotten how to love their "Kin"

[@tuforu4]

YEH WE TEACH AFRICAANS TO BE CORRUPT IN EUROPE....

[@mrw1762]

All those pointing out the PRESS sticker and badge, he implied himself that it may have conditioned smooth passage from and through Ghana into Togo....so why didn't it deter what happened on the Benin-Nigerian border? It means, while there's corruption everywhere, some are deeper than others. But yes, it'd be more engaging to hide the PRESS tag and sticker and only use it as a last resort (when you're in danger, for example). It's a start.

[@akiban2842]

Wish you showed the other borders the same way, however, great content.

[@MoriyonIpuole]

This video is too interesting to be this Short Mr. Ndume, all in all, it was really insightful...thanks, sir.

[@lillian2396]

you should have shown us how y travelled the road. from Accra to Lagos. not selecting parts from the Seme border. I have travelled this rd and the corruption is not just @ one border alone, it also transcends to the highways across the rds of the west africa countries. but still I will say u did well bringing one of the major issues across the borders to light. great job and kudos.

[@williamgamelisenaya793]

Africa Omg Lord have mercy Watching from Sydney Australia

[@riverbankfisher]

Car dash cameras are really small now and can be set up to record in several directions at once. For your next video, you should get one that enables you to film looking all around, to capture the faces of the vultures trying to extort you. Thanks to this video I will never contemplate driving to or from Nigeria from any other nearby country. Air travel is the way to go for sure.

[@cheendo7400]

Master good job this is how we can catch criminals and in the process reduced corruption on our continent. It is hard for the government alone to tackle this problem. Let us all help great job by you.

[@LeahTVdotcom]

West Africa, I would never drive alone on these long drives.

[@babbycfamilycomfort6048]

Wow I well love to go for visiting

[@kevinemmanuel8525]

This has been going on for years infact since I was under 16, me and my mum use to travel to cotonou. Infact it's even more gentle than it use to be

[@Eyob797]

We need to get rid of corruption from our beautiful continent Africa.

[@fredinauto]

Wonderful job, thanks for enlighten the public.

[@IDRISIRIS]

Great video . Greetings from London. 🇬🇧

[@alexmartey5798]

Africa is beyond redemption.

[@Nancytruth]

This is a fantastic piece of journalism

[@PatriciaChavers]

Ghana is good. Ivory Coast has the same corruption as Nigeria. Guinea if you have everything it's ok, Sierra Leone same nonsense!

[@thebridge5483]

Thank you for exposing these idiots they don't know camera exists and Nigeria need to build the roads there and border

[@nAarp]

Super bro

[@thethrowbackguy4319]

Nigeria really needs to sort something out about their corruption issue it’s disgusting. When your citizens feel the need to just start asking people for money for nothing you should know there’s something wrong. As the richest and most populated country in Africa it’s really disappointing to see

[@margaret1353]

I love this video so much. this is what all journalists of Africa should be doing reaching out to all these different avenue in the fight of corruption and exposing the thieves and corrupt officials, holding people accountable both government and none government, people will learn a lesson if you guys continue to expose them especially these thieves in Nigeria thanks a lot for the video .

[@shawnharvey75]

We should be able to drive where we want. We need a borderless Africa I'm African-American I will be traveling to West Africa in June

[@CapitalTvNigeria]

Good to know Shawn. Give us a call if there is anything we can do for you when you're in

[@jackpea7102]

So?

[@osofeltv9052]

Thanks for this investigative video. I am thirsty of the full of this. When I see the transformation of Aflao border today I ask myself what Nigeria's government is waiting for to change the face of Seme Border. Why still today the don't open this modern infrastrusture?

[@dinbackupsbashiro6963]

Sir, when is the part 2 coming ?

[@AB-en8th]

See Africa. It's just a shame everywhere. Corruption, corruption

[@TheTororist]

I know this was primarily about ease of passage, but a little scenery would be nice over your commentary. Just your face till the 3rd border

[@bobanderson3881]

You should have just kept your window down and drove right pat those first two guys. They did not look official so there is no reason to stop for them. Now if they pull a gun that's a different story.

[@emmanuelchukwudi3259]

That Nigeria boarder is open now

[@kaziarzarai4293]

I didn't understand where the Benin side of the border ended and where that of Nigeria started or rather, you didn't clarify. But, Nigeria should be made to open the main border instead of this shabby contraption.

[@CapitalTvNigeria]

We'll clarify that in the full video. However, our target is to use this film to push towards the opening of the finished border.

[@tuforu4]

HE SHOULD HAVE A DRONE NEXT TIME//

[@bakolon8698]

More of this please

[@JesseYusufu]

Whats all these suspense nah. where is the full video

[@roapsinterlogence2790]

This the full video and the narrator is award winning Nigerian journalist Ndume Green.

[@JesseYusufu]

May be you didnt watch till the end. Because he said the full video is coming soon

[@coviigordelali9777]

i think , if you really want to found out what is going on on that road, you need to travel on normal car, no press sticker, no journalist ID, and you will know the hell we are going through every day

[@babbycfamilycomfort6048]

Jesus ooh I don't think I can come again

[@olamao786]

This is the problems we experience crossing the boarder. The boarder have been like this since in the 80 s that I’ve been coming to Benin . It is very a shameful site

[@juwe9516]

Corruption is a way of life.. Africans and especially Nigerians brags about it.... Their government failed to pay their wages..... it is not justifiable reason to be mugging West African citizens and Nigerians too... being mugged by people in uniform and authourity

[@mrakacolimtd1556]

They also do the same at Ghana and Togo border taking money from Ecowas citizens.. I guess they didn't ask you because you had PRESS written on your car next time take off the PRESS and you will see what them Togolese and Ghanaian officers will do.

[@jimmysteeve7702]

mraka colimtd yeah, only if you dont have Ecowas passport, but if you got your passport there's no way for extortion in Aflao boarder especially the Ghana side of the boarder i know this because i travel every week from Nigeria to Ghana without a passport couple of years back

[@mrakacolimtd1556]

Jimmy Steeve My friend even with Ecowas passport you will pay 10gh at the border and Togo side is 2000cfa plus another 1000cfa at the police. This is happening everyday, according to Ecowas law if you are a citizen of Ecowas you are not suppose to pay a cent once your papers are correct even if you have an ID card proving that you are an Ecowas citizen there's a special paper that you suppose to fill in and that paper is free of charge. Your first time entering Togo especially Ghana with a car that is registered in any of the 16Ecowas states they will ask you to pay 60.000cfa before even paying the normal 10.000 by law so that's 70.000cfa u will pay in the name of first entry. My brother that's extortion...

[@jimmysteeve7702]

mraka colimtd well, i won't get into debate or arguing with you maybe things have changed drastically because i was talking about 10 to 12 years ago i really don't know much about that root anymore you may be right

[@blazinghot99]

Jimmy Steeve He is right. They extort you too when driving from Nigeria through to Ghana. If the guy had drove from Nigeria to Ghana, the reaction would be the same. I drove with some family members from Nigeria 2 months ago. We had to pay so much bribe between all the borders. Don't be deceived. This video was intended to make Nigeria look bad when in reality, the same happens in the other border countries.

[@mrakacolimtd1556]

Jimmy Steeve I see.. Well Immigration officers both in Ghana Togo Benin and Nigeria has become crooks it's no more the same its all about business now..

[@alberttandoh7722]

West African boarders needs proper checks ,men in uniforms (security personnel) should be charge of various check points. All these needs to be addressed by ECOWAS officials to ensure smooth passage through West African boarders.

[@Head_On]

Nigerians are abusing the ECOWAS protocol by moving in their millions to settle in Ghana. Currently,there are 9 million of them calling Ghana their new home. Ghanaians are putting their families on family planning but it seems like we’ll soon becoming the minority in our own nation. We need to re-evaluate our membership of this union

[@ifeanyiachobandu2944]

Gordon Anderson you're welcome to leave ECOWAS. We provide 70% of ECOWAS funding. We are basically the backbone of ECOMOG and other ECOWAS forces. I love my Ghanaian brothers and sisters but don't spew this nonsense. Nigeria contributes far more than her fair share in ECOWAS. If you think we are abusing it, tell your government to leave. C'est simple 🤞🏾

[@tuforu4]

ALL THEM NIGERIAN GUYS POSE AS GHANA WOMEN ON DATE SITES..

[@jackpea7102]

The family planning is a scheme by Europeans to reduce the African population. Africans dont fall for it.

[@ngalahansel6066]

I'm a Cameroonian renting a hostel in Adjiriganor owned by Ghanaian prophet Obinnim and I'm surprised that 60 percent of the tenants are Nigerians!

[@bookman2116]

Smh fire burn all these animals. Good investigative work, wish you had shown the faces of these thieves

[@chineduduruike7492]

I m from Nigeria,I must say that security department is the most corrupt department in Nigeria,in fact they don't have any shame while asking for money,but I m not surprised because non of them is educated.

[@projectniche6206]

Well done

[@mpanimfuour1]

feeling of helplessness is what you through with so called border officials with no credentials. especially on the Nigerian side. God help us all.

[@KayceeMonwuba]

I felt a deep sense of shame while watching this video. it is even more shameful to see West Africans fighting in the comment section over whose country is shittier. Have we no sense of shame?

[@CapitalTvNigeria]

Thank you Kaycee. We are not deterred. Africa has become so irredeemably chaotic that we have claimed absolute ownership of the menace in our system and defined patriotism around it.

[@mike.tani4116]

One of the reason Nigeria lag in development. Corruption everywhere! For how long will this stay? Embarrassment.

[@margaret1353]

I watched this video over and over, but there's supposed to be continuation of this clip and I have not yet seen it so please show us how you got over that criminal border called badagry Lagos Nigerian border, I am so eager to see what happens there even though l have experience and ideas of what supposed to happen there, they are all uniforms criminals in that border, it really brought back my bad memories of that place.

[@charlesgoody4685]

Nice Job!

[@Volumes360]

how do u get ecowas insurance and le passy

[@ghanahome7945]

GREAT

[@brixtondawg]

Does anyone know where to see the full encounter from this video?

[@iggsGH]

Interesting video but it was not at all representative since you used your press ID.

[@calorus]

Press Car, Press Pass, Casually stops in the middle of a dual carriageway.

[@adeiashie1754]

Na wao

[@mucholangs]

Is Buhari unaware of this corrupt practice going on? Or does he not care? Or maybe this is outside Nigeria's jurisdiction? With video evidence like this, it should be a simple matter to solve. Just prosecute these bribe takers and widely publicize it to send a message.

[@ayantolasaheed7425]

Buhari is irresponsible!

[@ikepius6464]

U are brilliant in knowing they are planning to extort money

[@shifatwhatsup]

It is shameful that with all the billions received in oil revenue and well-educated human resources, Nigeria is still a poverty ridden country. They need better leadership there.

[@ngalahansel6066]

The useless leaders of Southern Cameroons decided to lump themselves with French Cameroon (who used to see themselves as central Africa) and detached us from West Africa politically though we remain West African culturally (garri,jollof rice and Pidgin). Thanks for this informative documentary

[@247hsl]

This is Nigeria

[@obinnaumeh5259]

Nigeria is a disaster.

[@hodgemoss]

Obinna Umeh Hmm 🤨 but they will be the first to say they are the first nation in Africa

[@Gwdufsm]

what works smoothly in africa???

[@garryjoseph5837]

Why the dramatic music? It's a distraction to the video...poorly edited.

[@MultiNanaAkua]

Jesus Christ! That background music is annoyingly loud and unnecessary. I could barely hear what the “reporter” was saying.

[@adeiashie1754]

What about from Nigeria to Freetown

[@NomaswaziMadi]

What if we don’t have a press card?

[@fwd105]

Where's the full video please?

[@mayo4real]

If you could pass through this with a press tag and ID, I wonder what an ordinary person would pass through on that route.

[@Anjay_P]

You should try it without your press I.D the next time

[@roapsinterlogence2790]

I travel all the time to Ghana from Nigeria, same outcome as this guy. Press card or not.

[@adewalelambo5027]

Without watching till the end i can guess where the problems will come up.

[@nokotable]

link to the full video please

[@extrabecky4421]

Please how many hours did it take

[@kwamenyame1277]

Oh Africa

[@nAarp]

Kwame Nyame yes yes nice video

[@Raetalkss]

How long did it take?

[@abdibr11]

I want to see the end of this.

[@hodgemoss]

Dangerous situation

[@pajoipob28]

This is why we need to get Biafra

[@oladelano3995]

His life could have been in danger without it.

[@faisalsaed9526]

bross you know try at all, why you carry press stamp and expect to get the full treatment drivers get on a daily basis. If you were going undercover you for go without any stamp or ID.

[@lilmizzije]

Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@skyreshmcbushmann9706]

What was your main aim of doing this investigation? To inform, speak about the extortion and corruption, the untold frustrations or the processes you go through just to cross? I wish you travel as a ordinary citizen, with a non Ecowas passport, to REALLY, REALLY REALLY feel the PINCH and FRUSTRATION

[@babbycfamilycomfort6048]

Please if I come to Ghana can I contact you I will love it if you take me to Nigeria please I am a big fan of yours

[@abubakarursman6054]

Ghanians re good in painting especially themselve.

[@touristtvnanaoa8925]

But why u have ur press sticker for investigation? Lol.

[@opafem]

It's no more investigative if you show press ID...

[@oaka5639]

if you want to cross this border, you need big balls

[@ufookoro1]

That is why most, Ecowas members fly. It is just easier, phew!!! What a palaver

[@ikechukwunwofia1098]

Nija Dey for the hand of ..........

[@jackpea7102]

It would have been legitimate if he would have traveled undercover.

[@faithokechukwu848]

Soon you will visit Biafra land and tell us how you feel.

[@sarahisreal7879]

Nigeria to Benin boarder is a hall, lot of corruption going on

[@franrichroday8663]

hey my friend , you forget Abidjan 😁😁😁

[@yapadqoi]

Good video. But it's a shame you just show us yourself, we have no idea what the roads and landscapes look like :-/ I guess there are some nice forests and beaches out there.

[@thebridge5483]

yapadqoi facts

[@TonnyOkello]

I was looking forward to the scenery, roads, small towns , villages, farms etc

[@yapadqoi]

Tonny Okello Yeah everybody was. It kinda sucked!

[@tuforu4]

GUESS HE WAS SCARED,,,

[@tuforu4]

ITS ALL A JUNGLE AND ZOO ..

[@mingotubman3790]

Extortion monsters are amazing!